Montenegro - Euro-Neuro - Rambo Amadeus

15 - 20 pts in semi 1

RTCG (Montenegro TV) chose Rambo Amadeus World Kilo Tsar (Рамбо Амадеус) to represent the country in the 2012 contest. It means that the country decided to return after a two year absence.

The song is Euro-Neuro. It's in English and RAWKT doesn't sing but talks his way through the song.

Watch and listen: Euro-Neuro is here at RTCG
Read the lyrics here at RAWKT's website
Download the song here at RTCG, Download the video here at RTCG

Versions:
Euro-Neuro - Original / ESC version ♫
Euro-Neuro - karaoke
- karaoke at Eurovision.tv downloadshop

A 1-track cdsingle and a cd/DVD set were issued from promotion in Baku.

RAWKT has lent his services to the international Brain Awareness Week (BAW).
The Serbian Neuroscience Society supported BAW 2012 with an exhibition and a concert on 14-3 featuring the man himself.
The song Euro-Neuro is linked to the topic of anxiety and neurosis. Read more about the event here.

Rambo Amadeus now going by the name Rambo Amadeus World Kilo Tsar but known to his family as Antonije Pušić is a Montenergo born singer songwriter now based in Belgrade, Serbia.

His eclectic style of satirical pop comes in musical flavours like rock, punk, funk and jazz.

The self proclaimed World Mega Tsar released 10 albums since his debut O Tugo Jesenja in 1988, the most recent being Hipishizik Metafizik  from 2008.
He also released several compilation and live albums.

The song for Baku is recorded in Slovenia with producer Magnifico (Robert Pešut).
Robert Pešut is probably best known to Eurofans for his popular son Silvija from the 1998 Slovenian selection. He also produced the album of Aviational Slovenian Eurovision Superstars Sestre (2002)

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links and sources
Rambo Amadeus website
RTCG Eurovision pages

You can listen to Hipishizik Metafizik here

The 2012 entry will be the 4th participation for Montenegro (Црна Гора, Crna Gora) as an independent country.
In 2005 the song for Serbia-Montenegro was Zauvijek Moja by No Name, a song that was selected by Montenegro TV for the Serbia Montenegro final. No Name also won the 2006 national final, but the participation was withdrawn.
In the days of Yogoslavia in Eurovision only two songs chosen by Montenegro TV won the national final and went to Eurovision, Džuli by Daniel in 1983 and Ciao Amore by Vlado and Izolda in 1984.
Džuli, first rejected by Croatian TV ended 4th in the contest and became one of the biggest Eurovision hits of the era.

Montenegro in 2009 at the Moscow Collection - Andrea Demirovic

Latvia - Beautiful Song - Anmary

16 - 17 pts in semi 1

Latvia selected their entry for Baku at the Eirodziesma NF. Beautiful Song by Anmary (Linda Amantova).  is written by Ivars Makstnieks and Rolans Ūdris.

You can listen to the Beautiful Song here at LTV.
A new version was recorded for the contest, next to a new arrangement, the lyrics have undergone a transformation. And Mick Jagger is now a Sir!
Watch the new version here at LTV (scroll down a bit in the article)

A promo cdsingle is issued with two versions of the song.
Beautiful Song - Euro In Your Face Hard Earbud Mix
Beautiful Song - US Out In Space Soft Radio Mix
(Plate records 140033)
The digital release has three tracks available from May 18, above two plus the karaoke mix.

Update: A second promo single exists with 4 versions of Beautiful Song plus two other songs.
Beautiful Song - Original version *
Beautiful Song - nWorks Club Remix
Beautiful Song - nWorks Remix 
Beautiful Song - EdgeCore's Remix
* probably not really the original but the Eurovision version. 
You can get one of the remixes here at Normand Rutulis' (nWorks) website. 
The nWorks remix can also be found on the N'Works CD N.O.A. and on the 3CD Ballermann Hits 2012 (Germany Edel records)
Thanks to Koen!

In the original lyrics Anmary refers to a Eurovision legend: "I was born in a distant 1980, The year the Irish Johnny Logan won.
Now he’s old, you know, still kinda famous
Could be my way, today’s my day, I’m singing of my song".
Johnny Logan is still there in the new version, but he's not old anymore.

Versions:
Beautiful Song - Euro In Your Face Hard Earbud Mix
Beautiful Song - US Out In Space Soft Radio Mix  ♫ (= ESC version)
- both on cdsingle
Beautiful Song - original version
- has been on websites only
Beautiful Song - karaoke
- Eurovision.tv download shop

Beautiful Song - nWorks Club Remix
Beautiful Song - nWorks Remix 
Beautiful Song - EdgeCore's Remix
- remixes on 2nd promo


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Policistas

In 2009 Anmary already had a go at Eurovision glory. With the trio Policistas (pic below) she ended 11th in the first round with the song In Love We Trust, just missing out on the final 10.

You can still listen to the Latvian 2012 finalists here at LTV

Listen to the semi final songs: Semi 1 - Semi 2

Latvian TV received 69 valid songs to compete in the 2012 preselection.

All 69 have been available on the  Eirodziesma 2012 website. with only the titles of the songs mentioned. Artists and composers names were originally withheld.

links and sources

LTV Eurovision pages
Anmary Draugiem page
Policistas MySpace
Anmary at BeaRecords

Latvia's recent entries

2011 - Musiqq

2010 - Aisha

2009 - Intars Busulis

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Belgium - Would You - Iris

17 - 16 pts in semi 1

Flemish TV (VRT) has chosen Iris to represent Belgium at the Baku Eurovision Song Contest.

The song selected is Would You, written by Nina Sampermans with Jean Bosco Safari and Walter Mannaerts.

Watch the live selection performance here at VRT

Would You enters the (Flemish) Belgian charts at #34.
Chart run: 34, 19, 25, 32, - re: 35, -

cdsingle

Would You is out now on cdsingle. The second track is an instrumental version of the song.

Versions:
Would You - Original ♫
Would You - Instrumental
- both on cds
Would You - karaoke
- Eurovision tv downloadshop


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Seventeen
Iris has just released her debut album Seventeen. It includes Would You and the other preselection song Safety Net. You can also find last years hit Wonderful on the album.
(Sonic Angel 17525431)

The Belgian Eurovision entry entry was chosen on March 17 from a selection of two: Safety Net and Would You.

Just like two years ago, when they were responsible for the Eurovision entry, Flemish TV, VRT, opted for an internal chosen artist. Tom Dice scored the best result for a Flemish entry ever at Eurovision with Me And My Guitar.

17 year young Iris (previously known as Airis but Laura Van Den Bruel to her mom) is under contract with Sonic Angel records, who also have Tom Dice on their roster.

She scored a hit with Wonderful in the Flemish charts earlier in 2011.

links and sources:

Eurosong.be

Sonic Angel

Iris at BeaRecords

Belgiums other recent entries:

2011 - Witloof Bay

2010 - Tom Dice

2009 - Copycat (Patrick Ouchène)

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Austria - Woki Mit Deim Popo - Trackshittaz

18 - 8 pts in semi 1

Austria was represented in Baku by Trackshittaz who were shaking their nicely shaped backsides to Woki Mit Deim Popo (liberally translated as Shake Your Booty).
Trackshittaz are Lukas Plöchl a.k.a. G-Neila and Manuel Hoffelner a.k.a. Manix and they wrote the song themselves.
The song is performed in Mühlviertel Mundart (regional language, see below).
Watch and listen at the 'Shittaz Youtube

A cdsingle with original and German version is released in Austria Germany on March 12 (Sony/Ariola 886919755022)

Sleeve insert also has the lyrics of the original version.

Woki is also available on the 'Shittaz latest album Zruck Zu De Ruabm (Sony Music Austria).
The German version Wackl Mit Dem Popo can be found on the album Traktorgängstapartyrap which is a collection of tracks from their three albums, several re-recorded in German. (out on Februari 27, Ariola 88691929542, Germany)

It also includes the German version of Oida taunz (see below)

The Popo remix contest
After Belarus, Russia and Croatia now Austria have their own remix contest. You can make your own bootyshakin'version of Woki Mit Deim Popo. The five best mixes will be released on a digital EP.
Here at the 'Shittaz homepage you can find all the details and download the necesary soundfiles.
Details can also be found at Trackshittaz Soundcloud, where the 15 best mixes will be uploaded for evryone to hear.
Update: 5 remixes are available on Amazon and other sources.

Versions:

Woki Mit Deim Popo - original version ♫
- on CD Zruck Zu De Ruabm (Sony) and cdsingle
Wackl Mit Dem Popo - German version
- on CD Traktorgängstapartyrap (Ariola 88691929542) and cdsingle
Woki Mit Deim Popo - Instrumental
- source unknown
Woki Mit Deim Popo - JKbeats remix
Woki Mit Deim Popo - Chris Armada Ft. Naamio
Woki Mit Deim Popo - DJ Breite
Woki Mit Deim Popo - DJ Dany D
Woki Mit Deim Popo - NuszbaumR
- above five remixes are digital releases
Woki Mit Deim Popo - Mix bits
- the audio files available for the Remix Contest include vocal and instrumental base tracks. Several versions (like so called solo versions) are home made with this kit and are not officially released versions

Charts:
Woki Mit Deim Popo already entered the Austrian charts before the National Final at #38.
Chart run: 38, 36, 2, 5, 9, 15, 21, 31, 36, 51, 49, 60, 53, 57, 29, 46, 70, -

Coverversion.
A coverversion was recorded by Die Dorfer, self proclaimed Schärfste Showband of Austria.
Their album is also titled Woki Mit Deim Popo and is released on MCP records

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Austria and the 'Mundart'*
The Popo song is the 4th entry for Austria presented in a regional language/dialect.

Here's the list of regional language entries:

1971 - Musik by Marianne Mendt (16th place)
This entry was sung in Viennese, of course the German variant as spoken in Vienna.
1996 - Weil's Dr Guat Got by George Nussbaumer (11th)
Sung in Volarlberger dialekt. Vorarlberg is the western tip of Austria bordering on Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
2003 - Weil Der Mensch Zählt by Alf Poier (6th)
Poier sang his entry in a mix of German and Steiermarkish. Steiermark (Styria) is a large region in the south of Austria, bordering Slovenia.
2012 - Woki Mit Deim Popo - Trackshittaz
Performed in Mühlviertel Mundart. Das Mühlviertel is a region in the north east of Upperaustria on the north west, bordering the Czech Republic.

*The word Mundart (lit: way of the mouth) is used for regional languages / dialects.

Oida Taunz
Trackshittaz entered the Austrian 2011 selection with their debut hit and #1 single Oida Taunz, but they ended 2nd behind Nadine Beiler in the race for the Düsseldorf ticket. Oida Taunz entered the Austrian charts at #1 in November 2010 and stayed 27 weeks on the list (incl. 2 re-entries).
Trackshittaz are credited for having the first #1 hit for an Austrian rap act and the first #1 hit for a download only single. (both for Oida Taunz). Oida Taunz was finally released as a cdsingle in Germany in januari 2012 with both the original and German versions included.

You can still listen to the ten songs from the Austrian national final Österreich Rockt Den Song Contest here at ORF / OE3

links and sources
Trackshittaz Website
ORF / OE3 Eurovision pages

Last years Austrian entry:
2011 - Nadine Beiler

Euphoria!

Congratulations Loreen!

Eurosong News, Handbook For Baku

The yearly edition of the Eurosong News Eurovision handbook is out now.
As usual it's a must have accessory for every Eurovision fans coffee table.

It's hours of reading fun, or just a great quick fact reference book for the 2012 contest.

The 132 page glossy extravaganza includes biographies, song  info, pictures and details on the national finals.


You can order through the Eurosong News website or get it while you're shopping at BeaRecords. (Book department).


Special thanks to Ivor Lyttle.


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The Official album: Baku 2012

Check the latest headlines HERE at the Baku Collection

All 42 songs from this years contest are released on the yearly official double CD.
The digital version is also available and so are the karaoke versions.
Most songs are included in their Eurovision versions but like every year, some are alternate versions.

Some problems with the initial release both digital and physical. The recording of the Norwegian entry Stay by Tooji appeared in a faulty mix with the main vocals pushed back in the mix.

Versions on the official CD are marked ♫ in each entries section

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Armenia withdraws from ESC 2012

Armenia had originally confirmed participation in the 2012 Baku contest, but have now withdrawn.

links and sources
Eurovision Armenia

Baku Collection Frontpage

Armenia's recent Eurovision history
2011 - Emmy
2010 - Eva Rivas
2009 - Inga and Anush

Shopping tips

Never mind the digitals, here an overview of the 2012 material already available on CD.
The Nordics don't disappoint, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland all have their national final songs out on CD. Sweden will add their Melodifestivalen CD to the list early March.
Hungary also has an album out. All 20 songs from the preselection are on the CD A Dal Eurovision 2012. It's the first compilation for an Hungarian pre-selection.
Slovenia has changed their format to a talent show since last year but, even with only six songs in the selection there's a nice CD release.

Countries like Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia  have treated us on wonderful CD releases in the past. But this time they have internal selections, so no Beovizija, Dora or Skopjefest albums sadly.

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CDsingles
The first cdsingle to be released is the German entry by Roman Lob. Release of Standing Still is out now. Roman's page is here.
His album Changes is also out now
The second cdsingle to hit the shops is the one of Austria.
Jedward released their cdsingle March 19 in Ireland.
More cdsingles in the shops: Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Sweden

Albums
Swiss entry Unbreakable is already available on Sinplus' latest CD album Disinformation.
Two versions of Austrian entry Woki Mit Deim Popo can already be found on two Trackshittaz albums.
Ivi Adamou has re-released her latest album with a bonus cdsingle with the Eurovision and preselection songs.
Anggun will also re-release her latest CD with the French Eurovision entry added.
Spains Pastora Soler has now also re-issued her latest album with the Eurovision song and other new tracks included.
Izabo's new album Life Is On My Side will include Time.
Donny Montell released his debut CD with many versions of his Eurovision entry as bonus tracks.
Mandinga's CD Club De Mandinga is out on May 22.
Italy's Nina Zilli already released the original version (in Italian) of L'Amore È Femmina on her CD with the same name.

BeaRecords stocks all 2012 Eurovision releases where possible, including several that won't be in the shops. A must visit shop for the Eurovision CD collector.

Baku Collection Frontpage

Poland skips a year

Poland has announced that it won't be joining the Eurovision masses in Baku this year. Polish TV chooses to concentrate efforts and funds on the European Football Championship tournament it hosts this summer. (in a joint venture with Ukraine)

This does not mean Poland is out of Eurovision and I'll hope they'll be back with a song fit for the Eurovision final in 2013.

Take a look at all the details Polands recent Eurovision entries, their releases, versions and trivia:
2011 - Magdalena Tul (f.k.a. Lady Tullo)
2010 - Marcin Mrozinski
2009 - Lidia Kopania

The Baku Collection Frontpage

Who is in and who is out

The EBU, Big Giant Head of Eurovision initially announced 43 countries to participate in the Baku contest.

Last years winner and the Big 5 are already in the final. The following countries will be Eurovision 2012:

Azerbaijan - Albania - Armenia (out, withdrew at a later stage) - Austria - Belarus - Belgium - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bulgaria - Croatia - Cyprus - Denmark - Estonia - Finland - France - Macedonia (FYR) - Georgia - Germany - Greece - Hungary - Iceland - Ireland - Israel - Italy - Latvia - Lithuania - Malta - Moldova - Montenegro - The Netherlands - Norway - Portugal - Romania - Russia - San Marino - Serbia - Slovakia - Slovenia - Spain - Sweden - Switzerland - Turkey - United Kingdom - Ukraine

Update: Check out the draw for the semi finals here at the official site

The Pot Show a.k.a. the Allocation Draw decided the following:
The first semi:

first half: Montenegro - Iceland - Romania - Albania - Belgium - Latvia - Switzerland - Finland - Greece 

second half:
Moldova - Cyprus - Austria - Denmark - Russia - San Marino - Israel - Ireland - Hungary

also voting: Italy, Azerbaijan, Spain

The second semi:
first half:

Serbia - The Netherlands - Portugal - Macedonia - Belarus - Malta - Ukraine - Armenia - Bulgaria

second half: Georgia - Slovenia - Estonia - Turkey - Slovakia - Croatia - Norway - Bosnia & Herzegovina, Lithuania, Sweden
also voting: United Kingdom, Germany, France

Montenegro returns after a two year absence and Poland prefers to sit this one out with them being busy with the European Football Cup thingy (That's Soccer to the Americans readers)

If you have any news or Eurovision 2012 site drop me an e-mail here. Or feel free to leave a comment.
If you want exchange links with your Eurovision site, please let me know.

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The Baku Collection - Eurovision 2012 Azerbaijan

Ell and Nikki won the 2011 Eurovision songcontest for Azerbaijan so the 2012 contest is held in Baku, capital city of Azerbaijan.

Below is a rundown of all Azerbaijans entries so far with all the versions, releases and other vital info.

Go to the Baku Collection Frontpage or check out the updated 2012 Azerbaijan page here.

Azerbaijan Eurovision Releases

2008  132 8   DAY AFTER DAY (english) " - elnur & samir (elnur hüseynov və samir cavadzadə)

    s1:  96  6   Bu da son - (azeri, original solo demo by Samir)                         has been available on the net

A 3^rd English version was recorded with a live orchestra but still an older version was used at ESC.

1^st promo is 1 version DVD w. info. A promo CD-rom with digital presentation has Eurovision version,
5 remixes (wave files), another instrumental and a ringtone.                      
                      remixes:

                      Day after day - Djs Zebra & Art Vio Reactive House Mix

                      Day after day - Djs Zebra & Art Vio Reactive Radio Mix

                      Day after day - Djs Zebra & Art Vio Reactive Dub Mix

                      Day after day - Denis Gursky french mix    

                      Day after day - Denis Gursky dub mix

2009 207 3   ALWAYS (english) - aysel (teymurzadədir) & arash (labaf)  ESC edit only on Moscow 2009 CD

    s2: 180 2  Single version & Payami remix                              (SE: Warner WMS 5375722) & promo dvd

                     Always - original version                    has only been available on Warners YouTube channel.

2010 145  5   DRIP DROP (english) - safura (əlizadə) ""    ESC version on Oslo CD and various promos

    s2: 133 2   Drip drop  -radio version 3.42                          radio version on cds (Zaphire LC 23932/ZAP002)

                      Drip drop - balkan version with željko joksimović                                            on promo dvd

                      Drip drop - St Destiny remix ft Maverick

                      Drip Drop - Success remix ft Perez & Radomir                         both remixes on on promo dvd

                      Drip Drop reached the charts in Norway, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Austria and Switzerland

2011 221 1   RUNNING SCARED (english) - ell / nikki (eldar qasımov & nigar camal)                 cds A,B,C

    s1: 122 2   Running scared - azzido da bass club pop remix                                                cds B,C

                      Running scared - azzido da bass radio pop remix                                               cds C                                            Running scared - acoustic                                                                                   cds A,B,C.

                                                             all above versions also on promo cds, 1-track promo's exist.  
                      Running Scared - Niclas Kings “In The Air” Club Extended                                  cds C
                      Running Scared - Niclas Kings “In The Air” Remix                                               cds C

                      Running Scared - Odd Remix Edit                                                                        cds C

                      Running Scared - Odd Remix Extended                                                               cds C

                      Running Scared - Adrian Sina Remix                                                                   cds C
                      Running Scared - Albert Kick & Jordi MB Radio Remix                                     digital only
                      Running Scared - Albert Kick & Jordi MB Extended Remix                               digital only

                      - cdsingle A: (DE: Polydor/Universal 0602527752921) 
                      - cdsingle B: (BE: ARS entertainment 060252775289-1)
                      - cdsingle C: (TR: Yeni Dünya Müzik 8693644011918 & RO: Roton 8693644011918)
                      - digital only remixes are issued on Blanco Y Negro records.

" = An earlier version / edit / demo has been available on the internet.

Don't forget:

2011 The Düsseldorf Collection

2010 The Oslo Collection

2009 The Moscow Collection

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